Your Travel City Guide

Turkey is a wonderful holiday destination for those seeking culture, sun and great shopping. The Aegean Coast, which is located along the western side of Turkey, is quickly becoming a choice destination for holidaymakers.

The Aegean Coast is a region of tiny villages, small towns, seemingly endless history and beautiful countryside. It is an ideal choice for singles, couples, or families wanting to get away from the larger cities and crowded tourist areas.

The region offers a chance to view the impressive ancient cities of Aphordisias, Thyatira and Pergamum. The ancient city of Pergamum is home to one of the Seven Churches of Revelation as well as the Heroon, Acropolis, the Library of Pergamum, the Temple of Trajan, the Red Court and the Sanctuary of Athena. Don’t miss a chance to see the Zeus Alter from 180 BC as well as the Theatre. Pergamum is bursting with historical monuments and tales from its colourful past that include influences from the Arabic, Turk, Byzantine and Roman times. 

Another ancient city in the region is Akhisar, which remains from the 3rd century. Mentioned in the bible, this city was originally a military fort and has now developed into a bustling commercial centre. It is one of the noted cities where money was first used. Here, visitors will also find one of the Seven Churches of Revelation, Thyateria, Thyartira. For a truly authentic souvenir, look out for an Akhisar Coin.

Bodrum is a well-known city and a popular holiday choice. As one of the ancient cities in this region, Bodrum remains vibrant and true to its roots that began back during the 11th century. Other holiday destinations in this region include the town of Dalyan, which is where the Fountain House, Hellenistic Stoa, Byzatine Church and Lycian tombs can be seen.

Due to its rich and fertile ground, this region is home to spectacular countryside views of fruit trees such as tangerine and orange as well as olive trees, wild sunflowers, tobacco and cotton. For authentic souvenirs, choose cotton textiles and olive oil soap.

Most travellers now book their flights online and rarely use travel agents.  It’s different if you’re buying a package holiday of course, but for those planning their own holidays, booking flights has become a quick and simple procedure.  All airlines offer their own online booking service, but the key is flight comparison and finding the best deal; that’s where websites like lastminute.com, ebookers, Expedia and Opodo come in.  Increasingly popular with both holiday and business users is Skyscanner at www.skyscanner.net.

Skyscanner has a simple interface that allows the user instant access to compare flights from over 600 airlines covering over 670,000 flights.  Various filters can be applied to narrow your search including direct or non-direct routes, departure times, airlines, airports in the requested city and journey duration.  Budget airlines like easyJet and Ryanair are also included.

Once you’ve worked out the best route, click the ‘book’ button to be transferred to the relevant airline or travel agent to complete the booking direct with them.  Skyscanner is free to use, and they apply no booking charges when referring your request to the airline or travel agent.  Comparisons can be made in a wide variety of currencies and Skyscanner is available in 23 languages.

Skyscanner also allows you to compare hotels, car hire and package holiday deals, and the website has a useful Tips and Advice section.  Regular users might want to subscribe to their weekly email newsletter, Skyscanner Airmail.

If you want to take a cruise at a great price, then there are two ways that you can get a discount on your  trip.  The first is by reserving your cabin way in advance, sometimes almost a year ahead.  The other way, for those who wish to go on a cruise in 2011, is to take advantage of last minute sales to secure a cabin.

It is very possible to find 2011 cruise deals, but it does take time and effort.  If you don’t have the time to book a cruise on your own, then getting some help is a smart move.  This way, all you have to do is wait for an email or a telephone call with all the details.

If you are searching for the best cruise holiday deals for 2011, then it may be worth your time to hire a travel specialist.  This can really save you the effort of scouring many websites each day in search of new deals. You’ll only have to decide whether or not to take the offer and book your cabin.  Keep in mind that using last minute deals and special offers means you never know where you will be going.  This can really add excitement to your cruise holiday.

You can always specify to your travel agent where you wish to go, and then he or she can look for any remaining cruise holiday deals for 2011.  This might narrow down your choices a bit, but there is sure to be something available for you.

When visiting Brussels you will discover a unique city bright with promise, easily reached from the UK through flight operators, large carriers, and budget airlines alike.  You can even catch the Eurostar train directly from London and arrive at the Gare du Midi, which has excellent metro, tram, and bus connections to the rest of the city.

Within the city all the main attractions are within easy walking distance of each other.  It is an attractive place where medieval townhouses sit alongside modern architecture.

Be sure to visit the Grand Place, an enormous central square flanked by grand Baroque buildings.  A short walk away you will find the famous statue of the Mannekin Pis, the little boy doing what his name suggests.

For art and culture the Musées Royaux de Beaux Arts houses works by famous Belgian artists such as Breughel and Magritte.  The Musée du Cinquantenaire houses collections of Belgian antiquities as well as some Egyptian and Greek artefacts.

If you like to shop, the Rue Neuve is the main shopping thoroughfare.  For upmarket designer boutiques try Avenue Louise to the south of the city.  There is also a daily flea market in the Marolles district for those who enjoy hunting for hidden treasures.

When in Brussels you must sample the famous Belgian chocolate.  Chocolatiers are found all over the city, selling the finest tasting chocolate imaginable. The only question is, if you buy some as a souvenir, will there be any left by the time you get home?

Hollywood isn’t the only place where you can visit a genuine film set, and Gwynedd in North Wales has something special of its own to offer.  The village of Portmeirion is famous as the setting for the popular 1960s television show, The Prisoner, and it has now become a major tourist attraction.

In fact, Portmeirion has been used as the location for many projects including television dramas, documentaries and pop videos. This is largely because it has the appearance of a Mediterranean coastal village and can be used to depict events in such a setting.  Originally conceived in 1925 by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, work continued on Portmeirion until 1975, and it is now operated as a charitable trust.

Those familiar with The Prisoner will easily recognise various parts of the village from scenes in the television series.  Starring Patrick McGoohan as Number Six, this spy drama flits between reality and a paranoid fantasy world, and The Prisoner has become a cult classic often repeated.  Many of the settings used in Portmeirion remain unchanged from the time they were filmed, and the village hosts regular Prisoner conventions.

The location and architecture of Portmeirion has helped it become a popular tourist destination, particularly for weekend breaks.  Accommodation is available at the Hotel Portmeirion, Castell Deudraeth and self-catering cottages and other facilities include cafes, restaurants, shops, gardens, beaches and the Portmeirion Mermaid Spa.  Portmeirion is also increasingly known as a wedding venue.  Easily accessible by road, rail and bus, Portmeirion is within reasonable travelling distance of Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Cardiff airports.

For those who love food and traditional markets, a visit to London would not be complete without experiencing Borough Market.  The name may not be as internationally recognised as Billingsgate or Covent Garden, and it is small in size, but Borough Market has become a popular destination for Londoners and visitors to the city in recent years.

Situated south of the River Thames in the borough of Southwark, Borough Market sits to one side of Borough High Street and is just below Southwark Cathedral and London Bridge.  Parking may be limited, but several bus routes run alongside the market, while London Bridge and Borough tube stations, and London Bridge train station are close by.  It is also a pleasant walk from many of London’s other major tourist attractions.

Borough Market operates as both a retail and wholesale food market, opening on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  It also opens early on Saturday from 8am.  Once inside, visitors are soon seduced by the tantalising sights and aromas of the fresh produce available, and vegetarians are well catered for as well as anyone looking for a wide range of butchers and fishmongers.

There is a strong emphasis on artisan stalls at Borough Market including bakers and confectioners, cheese makers and organic greengrocers.  It’s not just about English products either; the Backhaus Bakery, for example, sells a wide range of handmade German sourdough breads and cakes.  If that’s not enough, the surrounding streets are filled with excellent pubs, cafes and restaurants serving food made with ingredients fresh from the market.

Whether it’s the freshest oysters, the finest imported spices or the perfect pork pie, food lovers will be in heaven at Borough Market.

Generally referred to as Quito, San Francisco de Quito is the capital city of Ecuador.  It lies inside the Guayllabamba River Basin along the Andes Mountains.  The city has a famous central square called Plaza de La Independencia which is elevated 2,800 meters, making it the highest legal capital city in the world.

Quito is full of culture and history, so choosing a point to begin your tour could prove challenging. For a fascinating glimpse of local living, find the street titled La Ronda on your city map.  This quiet street is one of the city’s best-preserved historical areas.  It is filled with brightly coloured 18th century houses, making it a perfect place for a leisurely stroll.

For a little weekend adventure, head over to Plaza Santo Domingo, and enjoy the many markets, colourful street performances, and storytellers.  This charming square is an ideal way to get into the Ecuadorian spirit.

A visit to Parque El Ejido should also be added to your list.  This arts and crafts market is held each weekend, and is the best place to pick up local souvenirs and other authentic items.  The market consistently offers a wide variety of carved wood products, as well as handmade jewellery and Quito city scene paintings.

The Museo Fundacion Guayasamin is where you can see exhibits of the famous Ecuadorian artist, Oswaldo Guayasamin.  Afterward, head over to La Querencia for some of the city’s best traditional Ecuadorian food.  This restaurant also has amazing panoramic views of the city from their outside garden terrace.

As much as some people like to plan holidays, there are those that just love the concept of taking last minute cruises.  This practice does actually have some advantages.

If you are retired and love to travel, then taking a last minute cruise could suit you perfectly.  If you can easily pack up and go in a couple of days, then you can end up going all over the world.  The reason for this is that you have the availability to take any of the last unsold cabins just before the cruise ship sets sail.

Booking a cruise at the last minute has two huge benefits:  the first is that you can save tons of money and the second is that you can afford to go to further-afield destinations.  If your dream is to visit the South Pacific, then jumping aboard on last minute cruises can get you there.

To take advantage of these types of deals, you will want to subscribe to travel sites and newsletters that will notify you of any last minute deals and offers.  Another option is to enlist the help of a travel agent who constantly looks out for a last minute cruise that might interest you.

If your time is limited, you can still take a shorter cruise.  A cruise liner will make every attempt to fill unsold cabins at some price.  This even applies to short weekend cruises that are often referred to as “go nowhere” cruises.  These cruises have no final destination – you simply go out on the ocean for a weekend and then return home.

Cruises are now becoming ever more popular and affordable for all kinds of holidaymakers.  Additionally, more and more people are granting themselves that special luxury of experiencing a Mediterranean cruise.

Many people will have seen the Mediterranean while sunbathing on the beach while on holiday in the likes of France, Spain, Italy and Greece.  A cruise will allow holidaymakers to enjoy the Mediterranean Sea in its full majesty.

Cruises are frequently advertised in newspapers and magazines, and travel agents have brochures for cruises on their shelves.  Also a search on the internet will find cruise packages on offer, especially for the Mediterranean.  Mediterranean cruises generally last anything between seven and 12 nights, and there is a variety of itineraries.  Many of the packages offer flights to the port from which you will embark.

A typical Mediterranean cruise could see the ship leaving Barcelona, calling in at Valetta in Malta, Messina in Sicily, Civitavecchia in Italy, Marseille and then Genoa before arriving back in Barcelona a week later.  The itinerary may also provide a tour at one of the ports of call.

Cruises are being increasingly designed to appeal to a particular type of clientele.  For instance, there are cruises specifically for young families and others for older holidaymakers.  The facilities on modern day cruise ships are top rate, with excellent cabins, restaurants and entertainment, ensuring that everyone on board has a wonderful holiday.

Often referred to as “Sin City,” Las Vegas is one of the top tourist destinations in the United States.  Known largely for its casinos, this desert city attracts millions of visitors from around the world every year.

Casinos

Las Vegas sprouted out of the Nevada desert as a result of the building of the Hoover Dam, which brought in thousands of workers.  With the legalization of gambling in 1931, the city began to develop into the gambling Mecca that it is today.  The world famous casinos are obviously the city’s main attraction, and they have much more to offer than just gambling.  Each casino tries to outdo the others with more elaborate settings, décor, and attractions.  Visitors will find nightclubs, zoos, aquariums, roller coasters, spectacular fountains, art museums, shopping centres, and even bungee jumping available within the casinos along with the world-class restaurants and, of course, the gaming tables and slot machines.

Concerts and Shows

Las Vegas is known for hosting some of the world’s most famous performers.  Singers such as Celine Dion and Barry Manilow have taken up residence in the city and perform throughout the year.  Musicals, burlesque shows, and circus performances can also be seen in many Las Vegas venues.

Enjoy the Outdoors

When the lights of the Las Vegas Strip become too glaringly bright, visitors can retreat to the stunning desert surrounding the city.  To the west, Red Rock Canyon has an area for rock climbing and a scenic drive.  North of the canyon, the Spring Mountains offer some lovely hiking trails, and even snow at the higher elevations.

Whether interested in gambling, concerts, or outdoor activities, Las Vegas has something to offer nearly every type of tourist.